Growing up, I always cherished those nights when my father would make popcorn for our bedtime snack. Sometimes my mother would make caramel popcorn and I would eagerly devour as much as I could. This honey-coated popcorn recipe reminds me of those sweet childhood memories.
The honey coating gives it that golden color, and it also provides a wonderful sweetness and crispy texture. A pleasant surprise is the simplicity of the recipe – no candy thermometer or corn syrup is required. Instead of an air popper, the popcorn is made on the stove and the same pot is used to make the honey and butter coating, resulting in only one pot to clean.
This popcorn recipe is a great option for a bake sale, a movie night in, or just as a delicious snack. It lasts for up to five days so you can even make it in advance. Follow the steps below to make your own honey-coated popcorn.
Let’s start by popping the popcorn. I tried different methods, and cooking it on the stove resulted in the crispiest, tastiest popcorn. But you can also use microwave, bagged, or air-popped popcorn. Heat the oil in a large stockpot on medium-high heat, add a few popcorn kernels, and once they pop, add the remaining kernels and cover. Allow it to pop while standing away due to oil splatter.
A tip for making honey coated popcorn is to use a large 8-quart stock pot. Also, keep a safe distance from the pot when it’s heating up and during the process of popping. Be aware of splattering oil. The simmering honey gives the popcorn a glossy, pale yellow color. Once the popcorn is out of the oven, let it cool completely. You’ll be rewarded with the crispiest bites.
After popping the popcorn, the next step is to make an enticing honey coating. Just heat honey and butter in a pot for about a minute, then pour this mixture onto the popcorn and coat it evenly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the popcorn out evenly, and sprinkle it with kosher salt.
Finally, bake the popcorn until the color deepens to a nice caramel hue. It should feel crispy to the touch. Let the popcorn cool for 15 minutes, and voila! Honey-coated popcorn that will wet your taste buds and awaken your senses.
There are so many ways you can switch up this recipe. For instance, instead of regular honey, you can use hot honey or infused honey for added flavor depth, or add fresh herbs like rosemary, lavender, or chamomile to the warm butter mixture for a unique twist.
So next time you’re craving a sweet and crispy treat, why not try making honey-coated popcorn? It’s a simple pleasure that will definitely bring a smile to your face.
